World heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk keeps Ukraine on his mind as he prepares for his next big fight

Perched on Spain’s eastern coast, the touristy town of Gandia may not look like an obvious home for one of Ukraine’s biggest stars, but it’s here that world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is basing himself ahead of his next fight.

Perched on Spain’s eastern coast, the touristy town of Gandia may not look like an obvious home for one of Ukraine’s biggest stars, but it’s here that world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is basing himself ahead of his next fight. Quieter than other towns in the vicinity, its geography and climate confer it a surprising but important characteristic for Usyk and his team: it looks and feels like southern Crimea. The links to Usyk’s home province and country don’t stop there. Step inside his base – a co-working center turned fortress and gym – and you will see references to Ukraine everywhere. From the yellow and blue splashed on most walls, to the numerous flags, symbols and memorabilia he personally selected, Ukraine – and the war of survival it’s going through – are very much at the forefront of Usyk’s mind. “It’s a little difficult to balance things when your family is in Kyiv,” the WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight champion told CNN Sports. Throughout the day, CNN witnesses him interacting with his two sons – hugging them, sharing jokes and even playing a little bit of soccer. They joined him at his training camp and, here, he knows they are safe. But some of his family have stayed behind in Ukraine.